Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
In a diffusion-bonding process wherein an intermediate is interposed between faying surfaces of a refractory material selected from the group consisting of tungsten, tantalum, rhenium columbium, molybdenum, and alloy combinations thereof and wherein the resulting assembly is maintained at an elevated temperature and under pressure in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to effect coalescence of said intermediate and said surfaces, said intermediate being more deformable than said surfaces and consisting at least in part of a metallic component which at said temperature diffuses into said material at a faster rate than said material diffuses into said component, the improvement comprising incorporating in said component a dispersion of ultrafine particles which at said temperature are chemically and physically stable and substantially non-reactive and non-coherent with said component, said particles and said component being essentially mutually insoluble.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a diffusion-bonding process wherein an intermediate is interposed between faying surfaces of a refractory material selected from the group consisting of tungsten, tantalum, rhenium columbium, molybdenum, and alloy combinations thereof and wherein the resulting assembly is maintained at an elevated temperature and under pressure in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to effect coalescence of said intermediate and said surfaces, said intermediate being more deformable than said surfaces and consisting at least in part of a metallic component which at said temperature diffuses into said material at a faster rate than said material diffuses into said component, the improvement comprising incorporating in said component a dispersion of ultrafine particles which at said temperature are chemically and physically stable and substantially non-reactive and non-coherent with said component, said particles and said component being essentially mutually insoluble.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said dispersion is incorporated in said component prior to interposition of said intermediate between said surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said dispersion is formed in situ in said component in the course of the diffusion bonding operation by a heat-initiated chemical reaction between said component and a material dispersed therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said dispersion consists of particles having an average diameter in the range of about 0.05 micron to 1.0 micron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said dispersion consists of particles having an average interparticle spacing in the range of about 0.2 to 2.0 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said component is a metallic material selected from the group consisting of tantalum, rhenium, molybdenum, zirconium, and vanadium, and alloy combinations thereof.